Castle of Olite
Palacio Real de Olite: Photographies of the Castle Olite's Royal palace


History of the Royal Palace of Olite

It was Sancho VII “el fuerte” who ordered to build a first defensive place at the end of 12th and the beginning of the 13th century. It was built over the remains of a roman fortress. His sucessors from the house of

Champagne, Teobaldo I and Teobaldo II, improved and extended what it is called Palacio Viejo (Old Palace). The first expansion of the palace was made in 1350 by Carlos II “el malo” when he ordered to build St. George Chapel at the south of it.

The definitive impulse for a building which would be a permanent residence for the royalty and made way to what nowadays is known as Royal Palace of Olite or Palacio Nuevo (New Palace), was made by Carlos III “el noble” from the house of Evreux. He made the successive expansions of the historic place with the intention of consolidate his presence and get a more comfortable environment typical of the court. This was thanks to the influence of the French nobility dynasty he belonged to and his inherited possessions in Normandy.

Except for the building of some not very relevant rooms, Catalina de Foix and Juan III de Albret ordered the last significant renovations at the end of 15th century.

Later, Olite became the house of Viceroys of Navarre although they did not spend long periods there.


Castle - Royal Palace of Olite